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Dentistry/Tongue Soreness

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Expert: - 11/5/2004


Question
You might remember me - 27 yr. old white female -hypocondriac/anxiety/panic attacks - huge fear of cancer (grandmother died of Ovarian cancer).  I haven't actually had any anxiety/panic attacks since August.  Well I recently had a tonsillectomy 7 days ago due to chronic tonsillitis.  From my understanding they used some type of tongue gag to hold my tongue down.  When I woke up from surgery my tongue was so sore and swollen on each side. It looked like I had cuts on each side of my tongue that turned white by the next day.  The next day I had what looked like 2 ulcers underneath my tongue but they went away after 2 days.  One side of my tongue is pretty much healed (can't see any cuts) but the other side is still a little sore.  It just has this weird sensation on that one side in one little section.  It's like a numb sensation but yet I can still feel it (my tongue)so I guess its not really numb.  Do you think I should be concerned or is this common?  It's not nearly as bad as it was 4 or 5 days ago.  Also my tongue is coated with this yellow/whitish stuff and I've tried to use a tongue thing to get it off but it's so thick.  Could that be from all the white things (scabs)in the back of my throat?  Didn't know if it could be thrush since I just came off Augemtin Oral Suspension?  I do have a little bit of burning toward the front/center tip of my tongue.  I have been doing so good at not overreacting and panicing and not rushing to the thought of cancer.  Please advise if this is maybe common with surgery and/or tonsillectomy.  Just don't want to get back into that pattern of freaking out again and thinking its cancer.

Answer
Dear Tara:  Everything you describe sounds like results of the surgery.  The feelings in your tongue will likely go away within a few weeks, and everything will return to normal.  But these questions actually should be asked of your surgeon, rather than me.  Go ahead and ask.  Good luck. dd

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Howard Finnk, D.D.S., P.A., CEO

Expertise

I am a Family, Implant and Cosmetic dentist. I will answer questions on any aspect of dentistry and matters relating to the smile, gums, jaws and lower face. Member American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Broward County Dental Association, and Atlantic Coast District Dental Association. I have served as District Council Member of Alpha Omega, as well as serving for one term as its President. I am also a member of The Vedder Honors Society, Broward Dental Research Clinic, and Mount Sinai Hospital Guild. I have served as a Volunteer for Project Dental Health and The Tri-County Dental Health Council.

Experience

Having attained over 30 years of clinical experience in private practice in Michigan, in 2001 I was re-certified by taking and passing the Florida State Dental Board Examination. After moving to Florida, I spent nearly 10 years re-honing my skills while working as an Associate Dentist for several large dental groups. In September, 2004, I was appointed Adjunct Clinical Professor at Nova University's College of Dental Medicine. I am certified in placement of Mini Dental Implants, and I am Director of The Florida Implant Center (floridaimplantcenter.com). On March 1, 2010, at the age of 62, I began all over again by buying a dental practice near my home in the Fort Lauderdale area. As sole owner and Chief Dental Officer of the new Nob Hill Dental Center (nobhilldentalcenter.com), I can now carefully provide dental care to patients who care, all within a caring, joyful environment. Over my career lifetime, I have provided thousands of diagnoses, fillings, crowns, bridges, root canals, periodontal treatments, TMJ therapies, partials, dentures and extractions, and dozens of implants for my patients. The only aspect of dentistry with which I have very little experience is orthodontics.

Organizations
American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Broward County Dental Association, Atlantic Coast District Dental Society, Vedder Honors Society, Broward Dental Research Clinic, Alpha Omega Alumni Association, and American Association of Dental Implantologists. Formerly, American Academy of General Dentistry, Michigan Dental Association, Macomb Dental Society, Detroit District Dental Society, Tri-County Dental Health Council (a charitable dental care organization)

Publications
"How To Save Money At The Dentist" Going to press soon.

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Psychology from Wayne State University Doctor of Dental Surgery from University of Detroit College of Dentistry Adjunct Clinical Professor, Special Needs Department, Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Awards and Honors
Membership in The Vedder Honors Society

Past/Present Clients
HIPAA rules do not allow me to post this information.

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